• sustainable energy
• transportation choices
• food waste and recycling
• home and business

Our actions impact the environment. Each thing we do can help or hurt our planet in many ways. EPA has tools to help you learn and understand the issues and help you reduce your environmental footprint. 

Green engineering is the design, commercialization, and use of processes and products in a way that reduces pollution, promotes sustainability, and minimizes risk to human health and the environment without sacrificing economic viability and efficiency.

Green engineering embraces the concept that decisions to protect human health and the environment can have the greatest impact and cost-effectiveness when applied early, in the design and development phase of a process or product.

Green engineering processes and products:

• Holistically use systems analysis and integrate environmental impact assessment tools.
• Conserve and improve natural ecosystems while protecting human health and well-being.
• Use life-cycle thinking in all engineering activities.
• Ensure that all material and energy inputs and outputs are as inherently safe and benign as possible.
• Minimize depletion of natural resources.
• Strive to prevent waste.

Additionally, green engineering:

• Develops and applies engineering solutions while being cognizant of local geography, aspirations, and cultures.
• Creates engineering solutions beyond current or dominant technologies; improves, innovates, and invents (technologies) to achieve sustainability.
• Actively engages communities and stakeholders in the development of engineering solutions.